The National Rail Museum was set up by the Indian Railways in 1971, to preserve and exhibit items of historical interest and the technical development, made by them. The Museum with its wide range of valuable exhibits promises to take its visitors on an exciting unforgettable journey into the past.

Displays, both in the indoor gallery and the open yard, make a good sampling of the history of Indian Railways and provide an excellent opportunity for research students, railway enthusiasts and educational establishments to cover a whole era at a place. All exhibits wear their original colours and livery of the State or the Company Railway to which they belonged. From the aesthetic point of view, the exhibits have been placed so as to synchronise with the landscape.

The indoor gallery in the museum is devoted to the display of various small exhibits, working and dummy models, coat of arms, records, historical documents, photographs and charts depicting the development and growth of railways in India since their inception. The development of engines, rolling stock, signaling and telecommunications, engineering, construction and architecture and Railways contribution to the industrial development of the country is also depicted in a systematic and pictorial  manner. One gallery has also been set apart to focus attention on the post-independence development and modernisation of the Indian Railways including self sufficiency, export promotion and developmental plans for the future.

The open space is utilised to display heavy real size exhibits. There are as many as six gauges, four of them accommodated on  only four rails. With lines of various gauges connected with multi gauge lines to facilititate movements, the open yard houses some of the most exquisite specimens of railway engines and coaches.

The 141 year old steam locomotive, the 'Fairy Queen', Steam Locomotive "Ramgotty" built in 1862, the 234 tonner "Garratt Locomotive" the Patiala State Monorail Train built in 1907, the  B class tiny steam engine which worked on the "Darjeeling Himalayan Railway", the 120 year old 4 wheeler saloon of the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), the Viceregal Dinning car, the 106 year old Maharaja of Mysore's saloon, and the Morris Fire Engine of 1914 are some of the star attractions at the museum. An item very popular with the children is the live run of miniature steam locomotives conducted on the 1st Saturday of every month.

The Museum also provides, a unique interactive Multimedia Kiosk with software packages (can be operated by visitors) on the History of Indian Railways, the National Rail Museum and a Railway quiz.

The Department of Post is happy to release a stamp to mark 25 years of the National Rail Museum.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India